GWU has local touch to 2018 recruiting class

BOILING SPRINGS — Gardner-Webb football announced a 13-man recruiting class on National Signing Day, with 12 high school prospects and one FBS transfer signed.

Head coach Carroll McCray welcomed eight new signatures on Wednesday, joining four December recruits. GWU also announced the addition of transfer offensive lineman Chris Jones, who enrolled in January after spending two seasons at Coastal Carolina.

Jones (6-2, 285) started at nearby Crest High school, and was part of the Chargers producing a 32-0 record and two state titles as a junior and senior from 2013-2014. He will have three seasons of eligibility remaining.

“This class has as much potential early impact as any we have signed during my time here,” said McCray, who will enter his sixth season as head coach in 2018. “We had a small senior class this past season, so this wasn’t going to be a huge recruiting class numbers wise. The speed and athleticism in this class, particularly on the back end defensively, will help us quickly. There are several young men in this class who we expect to play very early next season.”

The jewel of the class is three-star defensive back Malachi Buckner (6-1, 195) from Peach State powerhouse Tucker (Ga.) High. An All-DeKalb County choice, Buckner garnered more than 10 Division I scholarship offers, five from FBS programs.

Buckner helped his Tigers to 25 wins over the past two seasons and was a key part of a defense that held teams to single digits eight times in 2017 — with three shutouts. He finished his senior campaign with 59 total tackles and 5.0 tackles for loss.

Gardner-Webb also continued to build its roster with strong local talent, as Shelby High tight end Maleek McMullens (6-2, 220), East Rutherford (N.C.) High linebacker Cade Hamilton (6-1, 230) and South Point (N.C.) High linebacker Matthew Robinson (6-2, 215) signed on with the program in December.

GWU also added Burns High defensive end Stormy Mosteller (6-3, 240) on Wednesday.

Mosteller earned All-State honors as a junior in 2016, recording 32.0 tackles for loss and 18.0 sacks for the Bulldogs. He finished with 63 tackles and 6.0 quarterback sacks despite heavy double teams in 2017.

The Runnin’ Bulldogs will now focus on spring practice, which is set to begin in late March — following spring break.

Gardner-Webb opens its 2018 season at home versus Division II foe Limestone on Sept. 1.

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